| |
|
|
 Back to Testimonies
|
- Contemplatives Exemplify Our Lady's Pondering
Sister Maria Dominica, OP
I read much about what constitutes a monastic contemplative life. The words most often used were "prayer and penance".
Since beginning a new foundation in Canada, I have pondered about our Dominican charisma and asked myself: How do we differ from other cloistered nuns? I hear about study and about a democratic government, but is that all which defines us as Dominicans?
|
|
-
Below are my personal reflections, subject to "Dominican" dialogue and different opinions.
Again and again we listen to the Pope's and other bishops' exhortation toward evangelization, to spreading the Gospel. It is so urgent at this period of history where there is much confusion, lack of faith, dissension, deviation from the faith, self-absorption.
We Dominicans have Truth as our shield. We are the sons and daughters of one whose passion was to spread it, who was innovative, daring in this endeavor. The spirit of St. Dominic is more necessary than ever in this time and age. Can even we, the nuns, sit back?
Mary pondered all her Son's words in her heart. This is also our contemplative vocation. We must study the Scriptures, ruminate them in our heart, nurture them by silence and enclosure.
We also learn in the Scriptures that Mary received the Gift of tongues at Pentecost. She has proclaimed her Son's message ever since, and more urgently this last century. We Dominicans, nuns, friars, and others, exemplify Mary's pondering and her utterances by living the words of St. Thomas: To contemplate, and to give to others the fruits of what we have contemplated.
Dominican nuns are also to be a light to the world. That light should beckon others to our monastery where they will find an atmosphere of prayer and praise. Our liturgy must be a moment of celebration; the music, available to those who join us, should be simple but lead to interiority.
The pauses and periods of silence stimulate meditation. The Gospel canticles are to stand out in a more solemn rendition. Nuns who feel capable of articulating what they have pondered may give short commentaries after the readings, inviting the people into deeper comprehension of the word of God. Mass is to be celebrated as reverently as possible. The faithful are given the responses and hymns, and are encouraged to participate.
It is a pity that our western culture concentrates on the mind and leaves the rest of our human nature passive. Other cultures worship with their whole being, using dance, music, drums, fireworks, incense, clapping of hands, swaying of bodies.
People who attend those celebrations surely leave it invigorated, uplifted, strengthened in their faith and in their determination to live that faith, come what may. They have cried out to God, praised God, with both body and soul, and done it together, in community. A nun lately told me that, for the celebration of her golden jubilee, she would like to hire a mariachi band!
There are other ways of spreading the faith, open to Dominican nuns. Many have talents that only need encouragement. It may be the written word, it may be in the artistic realm, it may even mean the use of the media.
God has given all of us something that we can share with others beside prayers; not that these are unimportant, but we also have functions geared to interaction with other human beings. As Dominicans, our emphasis on study, lectio divina, silence. .is not meant to be locked up inside but to bear fruit for those who are hungering to know God better.
Our life is penitential. We have voluntarily given up our freedom. We cannot have children or a home of our own. Our movements are restricted. We are not free to go whenever and wherever. Our daily life is structured, hour by hour. To live with the same group of people day in and day out is not easy.
However this confined life into which worldly distractions do not intrude enables us to live in God's presence, in His will moment by moment and to be joyous and grateful for His gifts which far exceed all that we have "given up."
Our gratitude is even greater when we compare ourselves with those who have nothing. Then we do not consider rising early, laying interesting work aside at the Office bell, not finding today's food to our liking, putting up with open windows when we are cold, as great sacrifices. We hand them over to God and ask that He might use our small trials to alleviate the far greater trials of our brothers and sisters.
We learn daily. We realize that others are not the only ones who are imperfect; we begin to understand that we are not the only saints in the community, we experience the mutual enrichment of our different personalities.
We appreciate that the daily life of prayer, study, silence, enclosure and vows leads to union with Him who drew us to this monastery, who becomes our constant companion, our psychologist, our dearest friend; who is the inspiration of our thoughts and actions , in whom we live and breathe and have our being
Sister Maria Dominica, OP
Queen of Peace Monastery 9383 - 222 St.
- Langley, B.C. V1M 3T7 ph. (604) 513-3665
e-mail: peacenun@vcn.bc.ca
Back to Testimonies
|
|
|
|
